[LINK] ABC Landline: Are we too reliant on technology?

[David]

On 2020-02-28 14:37, Stephen Loosley wrote:
> Are we too reliant on technology?

During a brief scan of the Talman website I couldn't find any description of the origins of their software or its architecture, particularly regarding security and performance.  In fact there doesn't seem to be any technical information at all.

Let me be clear that I'm not making any actual or implied judgement about whatever Talman package was in use in this instance, or the environment in which it was operating; I have no knowledge of either.

However I suggest some form of independent government-run audit should be _mandatory_ for any software and/or communications system with a critical role.  And it should be tough.  This work used to be done by the Australian Signals Directorate, though accreditation wasn't mandatory.

The concern about Huawai is entirely justified in my view, if only because spyware hidden in IT&C gear has been around for 30 years, and now we're becoming IT&C dependent.  Forget about a military attack, the potential for havoc through back-door control is terrifying.

David L.